Investors Portfolio Services

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How Can I Upgrade My Insurance — Tax-Free?

Responding to the changing needs of consumers, the life insurance industry has developed some alternatives that go much further in satisfying a variety of financial needs and objectives than some of the more traditional types of insurance and annuities.

Advancements

Modern contracts offer much more financial flexibility than traditional alternatives do. For example, universal life and variable universal life insurance policies allow policy owners to adjust premiums and death benefits to suit their financial needs.

Modern contracts can also provide much more financial control. Whereas traditional vehicles, such as whole life insurance and fixed annuities, provide returns that are determined by the insurance company, newer alternatives enable clients to make choices that help determine returns. For example, variable annuities and variable universal life insurance allow investors to allocate premiums among a variety of investment subaccounts, which can range from conservative choices, such as fixed-interest and money market portfolios, to more aggressive, growth-oriented portfolios. Returns are based on the performance of these subaccounts.

There are contract limitations, fees, and charges associated with variable annuities and variable universal life insurance, which can include mortality and expense risk charges, sales and surrender charges, investment management fees, administrative fees, and charges for optional benefits. Withdrawals reduce annuity contract benefits and values. Variable annuities and variable universal life insurance are not guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency; they are not deposits of, nor are they guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or savings association. Any guarantees are contingent on the claims-paying ability and financial strenght of the issuing company.

Withdrawals of annuity earnings are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to surrender charges plus a 10% federal income tax penalty if made prior to age 59½. The investment return and principal value of an investment option are not guaranteed. Because variable annuity subaccounts fluctuate with changes in market conditions, the principal may be worth more or less than the original amount invested when the annuity is surrendered.

The cash value of a variable universal life insurance policy is not guaranteed. The investment return and principal value of the variable subaccounts will fluctuate. Your cash value, and perhaps the death benefit, will be determined by the performance of the chosen subaccounts. Withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges and are taxable if you withdraw more than your basis in the policy. Policy loans or withdrawals will reduce the policy’s cash value and death benefit and may require additional premium payments to keep the policy in force.

There are differences between variable- and fixed-insurance products. Variable universal life insurance offers several investment subaccounts that invest in a portfolio of securities whose principal and rates of return fluctuate. Also, there are additional fees and charges associated with a variable universal life insurance policy that are not found in a whole life policy, such as management fees. Whole life insurance offers a fixed account, generally guaranteed by the issuing insurance company.

A Dilemma

So what should you do if you want to cash out of your existing insurance policy or annuity contract and trade into one that better suits your financial needs, without having to pay income taxes on what you’ve accumulated?

One solution is the “1035 exchange,” found in Internal Revenue Code Section 1035. This provision allows you to exchange an existing insurance policy or annuity contract for a newer contract without having to pay taxes on the accumulation in your old contract. This way, you gain new opportunities for flexibility and tax-deferred accumulation without paying taxes on what you’ve already built up.

The rules governing 1035 exchanges are complex, and you may incur surrender charges from your old policy or contract. In addition, you may be subject to new sales and surrender charges for the new policy or contract. It may be worth your time to seek the help of a financial professional to consider your options.

Variable annuities and variable universal life insurance are sold by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the variable annuity and variable universal life contract and the underlying investment options, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

All information herein has been prepared solely for informational purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy.

Investors Portfolio Services LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of Washington. The adviser may not transact business in states where it is not appropriately registered, excluded or exempted from registration. Individualized responses to persons that involve either the effecting of transaction in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made without registration or exemption.

Advisory services are offered through Investors Portfolio Services LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities are offered through United Planners Financial Services, MemberFINRA/SIPC. Registered Representatives of United Planners Financial Services may transact securities business in a particular state only if first registered, excluded or exempted from Broker-Dealer, agent or Investment Adviser Representative requirements. In addition, follow-up conversations or meetings with individuals in a particular state that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made absent compliance with state Broker-Dealer, agent or Investment Adviser Representative registration requirements, or an applicable exemption or exclusion. Investors Portfolio Services LLC and United Planners Financial Services are separate and unrelated companies.

Emily Nelson and Tom Bowman are Registered Assistants with UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member: FINRA, SIPC Investors Portfolio Services LLC and United Planners are not affiliated.